Show Not Tell

456 21 2
                                    

On the "Always show, not tell" rule...

Mostly show.
Sometimes tell.

Over explaining the detail of things is bad

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Over explaining the detail of things is bad.
Don't overexplain things. Just explain enough to keep it interesting and vivid. This is when the "tell" part comes. You shouldn't "show" everything because it leads to overexplaining things, which is boring and tedious. "Tell" too.

TIP: Think about movies. Movies cannot say what a person is feeling. They must describe it. They must show it.

How does a movie show what is happening? How does a movie show what a person is feeling?

Mostly show.
Sometimes tell.

How to Write a BookWhere stories live. Discover now